RESNA, ISO and ANSI Standards for Wheelchairs and other Assistive Devices from OPC Inc’s AODA experts

RESNA, Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America. RESNA members promote the exchange of ideas and information for the advancement of assistive technology.

RESNA develops standards for assistive devices in the following areas: wheelchairs (including scooters), wheelchairs and transportation, wheelchair seating, support surfaces, vision and hearing impairments, adaptive sports equipment. A long list of standards covering these technologies is on the RESNA website. That list is reproduced here but ammended with descriptions and links to download the standards.

ISO 7176-1:1999 Wheelchairs — Part 1: Determination of static stability
This part of ISO 7176 specifies the test methods for determining the static tipping stability of wheelchairs, including scooters. This part of ISO 7176 is applicable to wheelchairs and vehicles that are included in the 12.21 series described in ISO 9999 and are intended to provide indoor and outdoor mobility for people with disabilities whose mass does not exceed the maximum mass of the tes

The design of these devices is housed in data with ANSI, ISO and the CSA.

At the end of the day remember though – wheelchair users represent 1% of the North American population. There are more people with sensory disabilities such as blindness and low vision, and deafness. We cannot design things to suit people in wheelchairs to the exclusion of other disabilities. Thus the need for Universal Design experts like OPC’s and the prevention of the use of wheelchair ramps which are trip hazards for people who are blind and of low vision plus the elderly!

The AODA’s CSS, IASR and Ontario Build Code are mandatory. Non-Compliance will result in financial Penalties.